NEW JERSEY Part 32

Relationship Between Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Criminal Charges

Criminal charges are often filed against the defendant at the same time that a restraining order is sought. The domestic violence and criminal complaints both arise from the same incident. However, the courts treat them as separate proceedings. They proceed on separate paths, and in front of different judges. It is much easier to make a case for one, as opposed to the other. And the potential consequences for each are very different.